Ditch the fear

What do we do with fear? We do have reason to be afraid. We’re hurting economically. We’re divided. We know others are at war, and we wonder why we haven’t suffered that type of atrocity — might it come soon? What’s to keep us from future calamity, and how do we deal with that and other fears now?

We must realize God’s promises. We must work to bring them, drag them with all our might, into reality. This is how God’s kingdom comes. This is how the Bible is true. And, no, realization isn’t something we watch happen. It’s something we participate in. And though our eyes can be on the end goal, the miracle of the Bible, the reality of God, happens during, while, along the way.

Fear is the neon sign telling us our hand isn’t in God’s. The Shack author Paul Young is very right to remind us we’re blaming God for something we’ve done. We’re wanting to yell at God — and I say, that’s good because that at least gets us in front of Him. But once there, we’ve got to put our hands in His and ditch the fear. Choose to know we’re accompanied, we’re held, we’re standing right at the door of a joy, a peace, and an absence of fear — all very ours in God, all very ours no matter the storms going on around us.

Come to God. Begin, continue to participate. Wrestle. Bring all that God has already made possible into reality.

Reflection

How is God inviting you to participate with Him in bringing (realizing) His kingdom?

Prayer

Dear God, help me with this. I can get too caught up in the fear of things — my own weakness, outside threats, what-ifs. May I be willing to sit with You, work with You, trust in You. These are choices I can make, with Your grace. May I choose to make these choices. May I put my hand in Yours and work to realize all You have promised. Amen.